Meanings

to shorten

to be at one's wits' end

retrenchment

to approach the finale

to strain

to corner

to investigate thoroughly

reprimand

packing into a box

packing in ice (of food to prevent spoilage)

bottling

to press a question

night watch

in the end

deadlock

jam-packed

deadlock

to go to the top

that is to say

to pack one's things